Kalakand

India is known for its delicious variety in sweets and mithais. Milk is an integral part of most of them and kalakand is one such mithai which is made of milk. Its one of my favorites and I often wondered how I could make it at home as I am very happy cooking various things at home. Here is the recipe I tried which has been adapted from manjula's Kitchen and a facebook page....Ghar ka khana. I made fe changes and the result is absolutely amazing.

My crazy side packed it up with the filmy touch.

Ingredients
Milk                        1.5 kgs
Evaporated milk      300 ml
Vinegar                   1 tsp
Sugar                      100 gms or adjust to taste
Cardamom crushed 1/4 tsp
sliced pistachios and almonds   to sprinkle

Method
Boil the milk and keep about 100 ml aside.
Add vinegar to the rest of the milk and let it split. Drain in cheese cloth.
Wash well so that the sourness reduces.
Crush it.
Boil the evaporated milk and crushed cheese and milk and it shall come together and thicken.
Cook till its thick.
Add sugar and cook till it leaves the sides of the pan.
Pour in a greased tray and leave to set.
Sprinkle the nuts and cardamom on the top and keep for a couple of your hours.
Cut into squares. 

Gobhi Shalgam and gajar ka achaar

One of the most favorite of most North Indians' is this favorite pickle is Gobhi shaljam ka mixed achaar that is made in most homes during winters.Here is the recipe for my dear Bhabhi in Singapore.

Ingredients
Carrots cut into 2" long pieces  4 nos
Shalgam cut into 2" long pieces  3 nos
Phool gobhi cut into florets         1/2
Ginger and garlic crushed          1/2 bowl
Oil (I used olive oil)                      1 cup
Chilli powder                                2 tsp
Garam masala                              1.5 tsp
Jaggery                                         about 50 gms( 1/4 cup)
Vinegar                                        1/2 cup
Red Mustard powder                 2 tbsp
Salt                                              2/4 tbsp

Boil a pot of water and add 1 tsp salt. Add the cut vegetables and cover and keep for 1.5 mins. Drain and keep on a sheet to dry in hot sun for a day.
Heat vinegar with jaggery till melted.
Heat oil and add ginger garlic paste and fry till golden. Add all the dry masalas and saute for few secs and add the jaggery mixture and mix well. Add the vegetables and mix well. Keep in the sun for few days and then its ready to eat.

Carrot and orange cake

I like to bring a little twist of health in my cooking. And last week it was time to try some experiment with carrots. Its a task at times to have kids eating them and they are so rich in beta carotene , good for eyes and loads of fibre. So thought of a nice cake and yes, it disappeared by the time we went to bed. Here is the recipe.

Ingredients
Grated carrots                    11/2 cups
Orange juice                      150 ml
Chopped almonds             1/2 cup
Raisins                              1/2 cup
Flour                                2 1/4 cup
cornstarch                        2 tbsp
Semolina                         2 tbsp
Oil                                   1/2 cup
Butter                               2 tbsp
baking powder                 15 gms (1 tbsp)
Sugar                               1 1/4 cup
Vinegar                            1 tbsp
Vanilla sugar/essence       1 tbsp
Method
In a bowl add flour,cornstarch,semolina, sugar,oil, butter,carrots, almonds, raisins and mix well. Add orange juice as required.Now add the rest of the ingredients and mix well for about 3-4 mins till the mixture is well blended.
In a greased ring baking dish, smear butter and sprinkle flour and pour the mixture into it.
Put this in a pre heated oven at 200 deg for 10 mins and then further at 180 deg for 20 mins.
Poke a tooth pick to see if it comes clean.
Cool on a rack and cut into slices and enjoy the wonderful healthy cake. Promise you that it would be polished off in no time.

Onion cake

      Being in Germany before and now, I have eaten this snack called onion bread ( Zwiebel Kuchen-in German). I just loved it and best is ,it is so simple to make and you can pack it for kids lunch box and serves like a healthy snack. Its made with normal white flour, but this is my version of it, more healthy and with extra bite. It has onions, cheese, yoghurt and of course the bread below.Its always been a hit when I made it.One can make various versions and improvise.I am giving recipes of 2 methods of making the dough.
Serves:10-12 pieces
Ingredients (1)
Flour                                                     500gms
Dry yeast                                              25 gms
Milk                                                     150 ml
Sugar                                                   1/2 tsp
Olive oil                                               3 tbsp
Yoghurt                                                2 tbsp
salt to taste
Method
Warm the milk very slightly.In half the milk, mix yeast and sugar.keep for 10 mins till frothy.
Mix flour with salt and little oil and add yeast,yogurt and knead well.Add milk as required.
Now put olive oil and cover and keep for 1 hour till it doubles.
Ingredients (2)
Ready mix bread dough                         500 gms
(full corn,mixed seeds,etc)
Olive oil                                                3 tbsp
Milk                                                      150 ml
Yogurt                                                  2 tbsp
salt if needed
Method
Mix all the ingredients knead and keep for 1 hour to double up.
Ingredients for filling
Onion rings                                           4 nos
quark/Drained curd                               100 gms
chopped garlic                                       2 tbsp
Italian herbs of choice                           2 tsp
Chilli flakes                                          1 tsp
Olive oil                                               2 tbsp
pepper powder                                     1/2 tsp
Grated cheese                                       100 gms
Salt to taste

Method
Now to make the onion cake, roll the dough and press into a greased tray lined with butter paper.
heat olive oil and add garlic and saute.
add the onions and cook 5 mins till a bit soft.
Add the herbs, pepper and salt and keep aside.
On the rolled dough, layer up the quark/ chukka curd and spread well.
Spread the onion mixture well on top.
Sprinkle cheese and put this in a preheated oven at 180 def C to bake.
Bake till the bread is golden and the cheese has melted and started to brown.
serve hot cut into wedges.

Tip :Can use spring onions,olives and sliced gherkins as toppings too.Some days adding a dash of tobasco makes a difference too.

Zucchini and tofu lasagne - A quick recipe

        Lasagne is a wonderful dish where you get all the tastes and nutrition in one dish. This time I tried making a non fuss one pot lasagne dish which just needs baking and no cooking otherwise. It tasted really wonderful and the cherry tomatoes added that special zing when you bite into the juicy almost cooked tomatoes.
Serves : 4-6
Ingredients
lasagne sheets                         14 nos
Zucchini sliced                       500 gms
Sliced onions                         3 nos
Cherry tomatoes halved         500 gms
Grated tofu                            200 gms
Red bell peppers chopped     1 no
Chopped garlic                      2 tbsp
chopped basil                        5-6 leaves
Pasta sauce                            500 gms
White sauce                           500 gms
Olive oil                                2-3 tbsp
Grated cheese                        200 gms
Italian seasoning                    2 tsp
Pepper                                   1/2 tsp
Salt to taste

Method
Soak the pasta sheets in hot water for 5-10 mins.
In a baking dish, pour some olive oil in the base.
Layer up the zucchini, onions,bell peppers,cherry tomatoes and garlic.
Drizzle some olive oil on this.
Sprinkle salt, some Italian herbs and pepper.
Pour half the tomato sauce ,spread it and sprinkle half the tofu.
Put one layer of pasta sheets.
Layer up half the white sauce and some cheese.
Repeat the layers one more time.Add the basil too.
bake in a pre-heated oven at 200 deg for 45 mins or till the top is a nice golden brown.
Serve hot.

Wirsing sauteed in sesame seeds

    Wirsing comes from the cabbage family and is a new vegetable in my kitchen.It looked so fresh in the supermarket that I could not resist picking it up.The leaves look like crumpled cabbage leaves,very crisp and softer and cook pretty quickly. I tried this and it turned out like a good warm salad and the smell of sesame and curry makes it very appetizing.
SERVES: 3
Ingredients
Wirsing cut into strips                1/2
Sliced onions                             1 no
Sliced green bell peppers           1 no
Olive oil                                    1 tbsp
Mustard seeds                           1/2 tsp
Sesame seeds                            1 tbsp
Red chilli                                  1 no
roasted peanuts                         2 tbsp
tumeric                                     1/2 tsp
Chilli powder                           1/2 tsp
coriander powder                     1/2 tsp
Lime juice/amchur powder       1/2 tsp
Salt to taste
Method
Heat oil and add mustard and let it splutter.
Add red chilli,sesame seeds and peanuts and turn around till golden.
Add the sliced onions and saute till transparent.
Add tumeric and salt and mix well.
Now put in wirsing and bell peppers and mix well.
Cook on high heat to reduce water.
Now when the leaves look a bit wilted, add chilli powder,coriander powder and mix well.
Add lime juice/amchur and mix.
Serve warm.

Add

Chow chow with chana dal

     As I am fond of trying new things in my kitchen,one afternoon when I looked at fresh,green chow chow at the Indian store,could not resist trying it. I got it home, asked my South Indian friend for a recipe but still my mind tried to make a mental recipe trial. To try a new vegetable means I should make a great recipe with loads of spices to cover up ( my trick to make sure family laps up all my trials ). So This afternoon,I took it out of the fridge and made a nice spicy gravy with coconut and sesame seeds. It just came out too well and my family enjoyed this lovely curry with rice.
SERVES : 3-4 people
Ingredients
Chow chow/Chayote chopped                            1 no
Soaked Chana dal                                               1/2 cup
Chopped onions                                                 1 no
Chopped potato                                                  1 no
Garlic cut into halves                                          6-8 cloves
Grated ginger                                                     1 tbsp
Curry leaves                                                       1/4 cup
grated coconut                                                    3 tbsp
sesame seeds                                                       2 tbsp
dry red chilli                                                       2-3 nos
pepper corns                                                       4-5 nos
hing                                                                    size of green pea
Tomato chopped                                                3 nos
methi seeds                                                        1/4 tsp
Chilli powder                                                     1/4 tsp
coriander powder                                               1 tbsp
Tumeric                                                              1/2 tsp
Mustard seeds                                                     1 tsp
Oil                                                                      1 Tbsp
Fennel powder                                                   1/2 tsp
Coriander chopped                                            1/4 cup
Salt to taste
Method
Heat oil and add mustard seeds and let them splutter.
Add chopped onions,curry leaves,ginger and garlic.Saute well.
Add the chow chow and potatoes and mix well.Stir in some tumeric and salt and cover to cook till half done.Keep aside
In a pan dry roast sesame seeds,red chilli,pepper corns, methi seeds and hing till spluttering.
In a blender mix coconut,curry leaves,sesame seeds mixture and grind to a fine paste.
Ina pan heat 1/2 tsp oil and add the paste in it and add all the dry spices.Cook till well done.
Add the soaked chana dal and mix well.
Add water and pressure cook till dal is nearly done.
Add the chow chow and mix well.
adjust the water consistency and cover to cook till done.
Top with coriander leaves and serve hot with rice.

Pav Bhaji (Spicy vegetables with toasted buns)

       One of the most interesting combination in Indian fast food is Pav bhaji.Its healthy. loaded with vegetables and complete meal which satiates not only the hunger pangs but also the senses......full of flavors and tastes.....perfect for any day. I try and replace the buttered pav/ white buns with full grain breads.It gives the extra bite and also great on health and tastes.
Serves :6-8 people
Ingredients
Boiled and mashed potatoes                         4 nos
Chopped cauliflower                                    1/2 cup
Chopped beans                                            1/2 cup
Chopped capsicums                                     1 no
Shelled peas                                                 1 cup
Chopped carrots                                          1/4 cup
Chopped tomatoes                                       6 nos
Chopped onions                                          2 nos
Crushed garlic                                             1 pod
Chopped chillies                                         2 nos
Chopped coriander                                     3/4 cup
Dry red chilli                                              2-3 nos
Pav bhaji masala( curry powder)                2 tsp
Coriander powder                                      2 tsp
chilli powder                                              1/2 tsp
Tamarind pulp thick                                   2 tsp
Lime juice                                                   1 tsp
Salt to taste                                    
Method
Crush the garlic with red cillies.
Heat the oil and butter in a pan.Add the garlic mixture.Put in the onions and chillies and saute.
Now add cauliflower,carrots and beans and cover and cook till soft.
Put in the capsicums and saute.
Put in the dry spices and mix well so that the spices give out a good aroma.
Add the chopped tomatoes and cook well.
Add the potatoes and add water (1 cup) and mix well.Cook.
Now put in the peas and capsicums.Add tamarind paste.
Cook well and mash a bit till the mixture gets thick.
Add the lime juice and coriander leaves.
Serve with lime wedges,chopped onions and butter on top.
Cut buns in the middle.Apply butter and cook on both side on a skillet.
Serve hot with the bhajji.

Broccoli and parsley tomato broth

     I have read about the benefits of parsley and decided to make it a habit at my home.Its great for removing toxins from the body and cleans the kidneys too.Good for gall bladder and kidney stones,arthritis,weight loss.....list is endless.And so I make a light broth each night before dinner and it tastes great and serves as a great appetizer.I use a base and then I add vegetables of choice like broccoli,mushroom,cauliflower or even just bell peppers.Try this lovely soup.
Serves :4
Ingredients
Chopped tomatoes                    2 nos
chopped parsley                        1/2 cup
chopped garlic                          3-4 cloves
Chopped broccoli                     1 cup
Olive oil                                   1 tsp
Lime juice                                 1 tbsp
Salt and pepper to taste
Method
In a pan heat 1 tsp olive oil.Add garlic and saute for 2 mins.
Add chopped tomatoes and cook for 1 min.
Add 4 cups of water and parsley.
Season with salt and pepper.
Boil for 10 mins. Add broccoli and boil for 3-4 mins.They should be crunchy.
Add lime juice and serve hot .

Healthy full corn Pizza

     Pizza is one of the most loved invention by everybody.Made well,full of flavor, it has the goodness of  everything in one dish. 2 years ago when my husband lived in Austria while we lived in India, we visited him during vacations. We used to travel across the country and we ate so much of pizzas that my kids had enough and wouldn't want another. I then decided I would try and make it more healthy and with more body that suits our tastes. I made it with full corn ready mix for breads with sunflower seeds and various full corns and now my family is hooked to them. In case you do not have it available,you can make your own dough with full corn flour add a few roasted grains it it along with a few sunflower seeds.Add a bit more yeast to it.  I even have friends literally wanting a slice of the delicious and healthy pizza.Sharing the recipe for the healthy eaters.
Makes : 2 pizzas
Ingredients
Ready full-corn bread mix                600gms
olive oil                                            4-5 tbsp
Pasta sauce                                       250ml
broccoli                                           200gms
sliced bell peppers                            1 no
Mushrooms sliced                           4-5 nos
sliced onions                                   1 no
Olives                                             1/2 bowl
Jalapenos                                        4-5 nos
Gherkins                                         2-3 nos
Sliced zucchini                                1 no
basil                                                few
mixed Italian herbs                         1 tsp
grated pizza cheese                         200gms
Salt to taste

Rolled out perfectly

Spread the sauce

Piled up with vegetables

                                                             
           
Method
In a mixing bowl,add the flour and luke warm water and a bit of olive oil.Mix well and keep aside in a warm place for 1-2 hours till it becomes double in size.Punch down and let it rise again.
With the help of flour, divide the dough into 2 parts.Roll and spread on a pizza tray.
Drizzle a bit of olive oil and spread tomato sauce on it.
Sprinkle pizza cheese and arrange all the toppings of your choice on it.
Sprinkle a bit of salt and Italian herbs and basil too.
Bake in a pre heated oven at 250 deg C till golden brown.
Serve hot cut into wedges.